Интервью в журнале Ananноябрь 2010. Часть 1

How many times have you been to Japan?
How many times, I wonder? A great many times. Since I was fifteen years old, I have come to Japan three times every year.

How do you like Japan?
I love Japan!! It’s beautiful and fashionable. People are liberal. I think Japanese people respect each other, and they relate to others with love. I hope someday I will take my children and/or grandchildren to Japan and say to them, "Look, this is a country that I love."

Did you do all the photo shoots for the Artbook in Japan?
Yes, I did. I think many things from my life are in the Artbook. Probably you would find it artistic even after 50 years. It may be easy to take pictures simply, but it is very difficult to take pictures perfectly as art. In America we have the saying, "It takes a whole village to raise a child," and it's same with the photo book. I have suggested a lot about the project concerning make-up, graphics, and fashion.

You are famous as a fashionista, too. What is your favorite style?
It changes every day, according to my feelings. I love Chanel, Christian Louboutin, and Hermes. On the other hand, I know how to be stylish without spending so much money, because I was raised in a very small town.

I hear that you decided to take a year off after the Vancouver Olympics.
Yes. It is very good for me to take a year off.

Why did you decide not to compete at this point in your career?
One reason is that I had just competed at the Olympics. Another reason is that I am a little too old as a competitor. So I wanted to rest for a while.

I see.
Now I miss achieving something after practicing very hard, but I am happy that I can concentrate on other projects.

What are the other projects?
Publishing the Artbook and my autobiography, and releasing my songs. I have been a top athlete for thirteen years. I always had to sacrifice something for practices and competitions. Now, for the first time in my life, I have many new things to challenge me. I'm sure taking one year off will make me stronger for the next season.

You will have a one-year blank in your career as a figure skater. Weren't you afraid of that?
Not at all. I'm a strong person, and I can cope with anything that may happen. I have no fear.

You are going to compete at the Sochi Olympics?
Yes, I am. It's my dream to compete at Sochi in Russia, my favorite country. I hope I will be able to compete and show something unique and beautiful there. However, I won't take part in it if I don't expect to be able to compete for a gold medal. As an artist, I think it is important to give performances that are original, but for an athlete, it is all to get a medal.

Do you think it will be necessary to perform quads to get a medal?
It will be so in four years. Now I think I can do quads, but if I couldn't in four years, I wouldn't compete at the Olympics.

How much do you practice these days?
During the competitive season, I practice for four hours a day, five days a week. Since I'm not competing this season, I'm not on the ice for as long as usual. I practice Pilates a lot. It strengthens my muscles without thickening them. Appearances are very important in figure skating. Too-thick muscles on you are not beautiful.

Is being slender ideal for figure skaters?
Not necessarily. I like the bodies of ballet dancers. They are slender and look healthy, without too-thick muscles on them. My ideal is a body like Mikhail Baryshnikov's.

Which part of your body do you like best?
I love my eyes. I was lucky to be given these eyes. They are large and green, with long, thick eyelashes.